We need to emulate the Jehovah Witnesses

[aspberger]

and by being kind, humble, pro-active, and persistent we can take back our country. All the outrage, the indignation, and the hostility should be substituted with a serene, happy, and contagious message of hope and empowerment.

Let,s take our message to the street clothed with grace, human understanding, and sweet seriousness. Leave the cynicism to the talkers. Go beyond mere yapping and be a doer.

[Warren Stupidity]

1. that is actually not a bad idea

however I hate the door-christians with a passion.

[kikiek]

2. Well except for the not voting part...and long as I don't have to become

one. And as long as I can yell back if they yell at me.

[knowbody0]

3. i agree with you

i've converted many people by being respectful, listening to their opions, and offering facts to back up my points. name calling only separates us, which is how "they" keep control. divide and conquer. welcome to DU

[aspberger]

4. thank you

Politics has lost all of its civility since the republicans have taken over. You are so right, as long as we fight among ourselves, the republicans have it all wrapped up.

[Son of California]

5. More than one moderate conservative friend of mine

has told me that the number one thing that turns them off about your average Democrat on the street is our imitigated rage. That we seem to be so dominated by anger and frustration.

the way that I look at it; We need to realize how much the tables have turned lately and how stacked the odds our in our favor going into 2006, that we can relax a little, and lean into it with confidence.

We have to realize that while voter fraud has always been a big problem and a threat to our democracy, we have to speak about the issue in the right way to make people listen, if we only bring it up when we lose a close election, or in reference to wild, far-reaching conspiracy theories, then it just sounds like sour grapes or partisan politics as usual, and doesn't get the attention it deserves.

Let's be tough, and pull no punches well it comes to calling a duck a duck and failed policy a failed policy, but lets get past this personal hatred of Bush, lets start talking about a reasonable time table for exiting Iraq, give the people a clear plan.......lets calmly, but firmly demand movement on stem cell research. After this summer's heatwave, all those deaths and new evidence that the growing strength of Hurricanes is related to temperatures means that talking about Global Warming might be a good idea too -Hey, that's OUR issue, they can't even pretend to 'get it'.

We got so many issues working for us right now.
We don't need to be angry, we need to strong and focused/
So let's do, back off the over the top vitriolic language.
Americans love the underdog, especially the underdog with a cool head and confidence.

[aspberger]

6. amen

n/t

[FtWayneBlue]

7. . . . and go door to door

with that message.

[aspberger]

8. yes during key times in the campaigns

and whenever necessary. But if you(not you the poster) are a natural asshole, stay home.

[Warren Stupidity]

20. its called canvassing and it is done every campaign

you go door to door in key neighborhoods talking up people putting on your best face finding who is a likely voter who needs a ride who is on the fence etc. etc.

I'm better on the phone, personally.

[aspberger]

21. and if we all did this

with sincerity, kindness, and excitement; there is no doubt, the political tables would turn.

[Warren Stupidity]

28. well perhaps I misunderstood

It seemed to me that you thought you had a great new idea: around election season we should all go out and make personal contact with as many people as possible - go door to door like those god-awful JH'ers. And I'm wondering what you were doing last summer and fall as JK was running for office. Your great new idea is about as old as elections. Nothing wrong with it, just it isn't new and it isn't clear that it is terribly effective.

As far as I am conerned, until we can do something to counter the rightwing near-monopoly on mass communication, and until we can do something to end the election fraud, which as more and more states have corrupt touchscreen voting systems foisted on them is going to get worse, not better, nothing much else is going to make a difference.

[aspberger]

29. I disagree with you

We can introduce a meme that the Democrats have a lot to give other than anger to vent. Plus go out and be concerned about others, and not just at election time. A virtual message of baloney is what the repukes offer. Let's reestablish the human factor more so than now; and, thus put a warm body with a humanity first message.

[Schema Thing]

9. Their serene happy message is that god is going to kill

virtually everyone who isn't a Jehovah's Witness at armageddon.

Disagree with them (after you've begun associating with them)? They will consider you more worthy of god's wrath than a pedophile or a murderer. They will literally not talk to you, and even encourage (read: threaten) your close family to keep contact to an absolute "family business" minimum.

And btw, the door-to-door work? It's been a long time since that really produced any real results for them in 1st world countries. Something on the order of 6000 hours per convert baptised (and that is most likely just going to be the child of a Witness). The internet has shone a much needed light on this high-control group.

[oscar111]

10. J W hated with great intensity by those who have had experience with door

to door JW's.

their avowed mood, as you stated it, is not in synch with their door behavior.

They claim not to be trying to convert, just "discuss the bible".

rubbish Lies.

Trying to get them to admit they are JW, at the door, is like pulling teeth.

Lie, lie, lie.

They are too insistent. Too rude. Too fanatical.

Ask around, and you will detect the extreme dislike of the JW of which i am writing.

Toddler, the re above me here, is correct. The JW of today is a cult with controlling methods. Everyone, stay far away from these folks.

[donkeydude]

18. I must be

the luckiest man alive. When I was a little tyke Jehovah's Witnesses would come to our house, and I remember them being nothing but courteous and friendly. They came back a few more times over a period of a couple of years (they're nothing if not persistent) and going on about eleven years now they haven't come back. Same thing with Mormon missionaries. Nice, courteous, etc, a couple different duos came every couple of years, haven't been any for several years now. One of the Mormons even invited my family to his wedding, but it was in Utah and we couldn't afford to go.

So when people talk bad about Jehova's Witnesses and Mormon missionaries, I can't relate at all.

[aspberger]

19. a thoughful post

n/t

[Schema Thing]

32. Like most cults, they don't advertise their negatives.

Yes, they're courteous. Hell, I'm still courteous when I'm not on the internet, lol.

[Inspired]

11. My mom wants to convert

to be a Jehovah Witness. She believes that it is the only truth. Many of her friends and family think she's nuts. She is truly obsessed with this religion. She doesn't vote, is swearing off birthdays and I'm pretty sure this year will be the last Christmas celebration in her house. I'm not sure what I think about this.

[Schema Thing]

17. Wow. I was one for my first 36 years. BEG her to research

send me a pm if you'd like to be pointed at talking points to get her thinking (though by now, it's unlikely she will read them).

This can make your mother's life a living hell. It really is a cult.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

12. Nope. Not giving up my holidays...

fa la la la la...la la la la. :)

[Inspired]

14. Me neither!

Not that it is the most important thing but no presents? MOM! How could you!

[dr.zoidberg]

13. Wait, aren't they people who go door to door?

Y'know, the people who come up to the door and peddle their religion to people? I'm surprised that some of them haven't been shot yet.

[AntiCoup2K4]

15. Is this an example of your "kindness and humility"

"For starters, no 4 star generals. Do you think all the Woody Guthrie liberals are going to leave the commune to vote for a leader of professional killers?

Also, someone with a bad wig and endorsed by most of the cast of Hollywood Squares ain't going anywhere. We need someone more real."

[Stinky The Clown]

16. I'd throw your ass off the front porch just as fast as I throw religious

proselytizers, tree service guys, home pizza delivery canvassers, and fuller brush men off the front porch.

I'm a clown ... but I'm a mean one .........

[barb162]

22. I am sorry when I answer the door to them every time. I get rid of

them really fast. This won't work.

[aspberger]

23. It wouldn't work on you

but it would work on somebody.

[barb162]

25. Do you know anyone who listens to them and their style?

PS I am not bashing your idea but when most people answer the door and see someone trying to sell something, they tune out

[aspberger]

27. somebody does

This is to change the face of Democrats from one of apoplectic anger to one of warm confidence. Also to reach out to the politically oblivious and ask for their help. This two-pronged strategy spells S U C C E S S.

[Schema Thing]

31. JW's don't have any success at the doors

they spend about 6000 hours in the door to door work per convert (in western countries). And really much more than this, as most of their converts (or people added to the roles) are just Witness kids who get baptized.

[mitchtv]

24. the point is fine ,be gentle, persistant,soft spoken

I'd go one step further.Something cults don't have: Facts. I would expect to get the same treatment I give them; "move along".

[oscar111]

26. Cult is the word for JW.

i dont know how they have behaved in decades past, but

nowadays their behavior is horrid.

religions change over time, so the main thing is what they do right now, today. Note also, judge them by behavior, not leaflets. Just like any organization.

[MODemocrat]

30. No thanks, they don't believe in blood transfusions

Wihtout blood transfusions during his heart surgery, my husband would have died.